The Surprising Number of Similarities between the Oxford Comma and DJT
Both should be banned, and for good reason!
The Oxford comma, also known as the serial comma or the Harvard comma, is the comma that appears after the penultimate item in a list of three or more items. The use of the Oxford comma is controversial because some argue it's unnecessary, while others say it's necessary for clarity.
First off, we just used the word “penultimate,” and it’s not every day one can pull that off. So one point right there, Wrap!
Secondly, we feel like many people, that the third overly pedantic use of the comma in any list of three things can and does make a sentence sound pompous. Sorta like you know who, the GOP candidate whose name should not be uttered,
Finally, we always prefer to discern the meaning of a sentence without that unneeded third comma. Which is to say, we’d prefer to regard that third comma, as well as a certain person whose name should not be uttered, as equally unnecessary.
The Oxford comma up close and personal
Right around now, you surely ask yourself, what’s so bad about this “Oxford Comma” and why should I care?
You:
“What’s so bad about this Oxford Comma, and why should I care?
Us:
“You might as well ask what’s the Antichrist and why does it spell doom for entire the human species?”
Ok, we’re being a tad histrionic here. And yea, we just dropped the word “histrionic” on you on top of “penultimate.” And we did say “pedantic” a little whole ago didn’t we? Them ain’t MAGA-fightin’ words boys!
Withal (aha, another one!), the point is this, and pay attention to this sentence:
“The rapt Wrap editorial team is brilliant, elegant, and exquisite.”
Now as true as that statement undoubtedly is, do you not see how silly, redundant, pointless, otiose, purposeless, senseless, superfluous and wasted that last comma would be had we used it? That’s what we’re talking about people!
Confessions of a Journalism School graduate
Our bias on the Oxford comma (and on the notion of DJT regaining the White House) is clear, resolute and simple. It’s the product of our advanced, graduate journalism training.
The Associated Press, which publishes a guidebook that constitutes the journalist’s bible, is quite clear; the Oxford comma should never be used. Period. Not comma. Period!
The AP style book is about as clear as the first testament is that there is one and only one God in the universe. And for that reason, there is two and never three commas in a list of three in The NY Times, the WA Post, and even the in all the Murdoch-controlled papers like the Wall Street Journal.
It’s simply bad form old chap! Hip, hip, cheerio and all that sort of rot.
Just as installing a racist, misogynist, rapist, serial liar, four-times indicted criminal in the White House is a terrible idea, so too is that bogus Oxford comma.
Now we have no problem if all you academic-types feel the need to clutter your academic papers with all those needless, meaningless, senseless third commas in your lists of items, but if you could please leave the rest of us plebeians out of your high falutin protocols, us lesser folks who seldom use words like plebeian, falutin and penultimate would greatly appreciate it!
And that’s your Wrap.